CN108215516A - Image forming apparatus, recording medium and image formation system - Google Patents

Image forming apparatus, recording medium and image formation system Download PDF

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Publication number
CN108215516A
CN108215516A CN201711389168.6A CN201711389168A CN108215516A CN 108215516 A CN108215516 A CN 108215516A CN 201711389168 A CN201711389168 A CN 201711389168A CN 108215516 A CN108215516 A CN 108215516A
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CN
China
Prior art keywords
image
color component
row
thermal head
printed data
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
CN201711389168.6A
Other languages
Chinese (zh)
Other versions
CN108215516B (en
Inventor
芦泽克久
望月裕史
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Canon Finetech Nisca Inc
Original Assignee
Canon Finetech Nisca Inc
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from JP2016249215A external-priority patent/JP2018103385A/en
Priority claimed from JP2016249214A external-priority patent/JP6879494B2/en
Application filed by Canon Finetech Nisca Inc filed Critical Canon Finetech Nisca Inc
Publication of CN108215516A publication Critical patent/CN108215516A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of CN108215516B publication Critical patent/CN108215516B/en
Active legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/315—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of heat to a heat sensitive printing or impression-transfer material
    • B41J2/32—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of heat to a heat sensitive printing or impression-transfer material using thermal heads
    • B41J2/325—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by selective application of heat to a heat sensitive printing or impression-transfer material using thermal heads by selective transfer of ink from ink carrier, e.g. from ink ribbon or sheet
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41F—PRINTING MACHINES OR PRESSES
    • B41F16/00—Transfer printing apparatus
    • B41F16/0006—Transfer printing apparatus for printing from an inked or preprinted foil or band
    • B41F16/0013—Transfer printing apparatus for printing from an inked or preprinted foil or band combined with other printing presses
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J11/00—Devices or arrangements  of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, for supporting or handling copy material in sheet or web form
    • B41J11/36—Blanking or long feeds; Feeding to a particular line, e.g. by rotation of platen or feed roller
    • B41J11/42—Controlling printing material conveyance for accurate alignment of the printing material with the printhead; Print registering
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J17/00—Mechanisms for manipulating page-width impression-transfer material, e.g. carbon paper
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J17/00—Mechanisms for manipulating page-width impression-transfer material, e.g. carbon paper
    • B41J17/02—Feeding mechanisms
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J29/00—Details of, or accessories for, typewriters or selective printing mechanisms not otherwise provided for

Abstract

The present invention discloses a kind of image forming apparatus, recording medium and image formation system.A kind of image forming apparatus that can shorten image forming time and maintain image quality is provided.Printing equipment has：Printing Department has thermal head and transports the film conveyance motor of transfer film；Memory, for preserving the printed data of each color component；And control unit, control Printing Department.Control unit is according to the gray value of the pixel of the corresponding pixel group of 1 row of the main scanning direction with thermal head for forming the printed data for preserving each color component in memory and the image formation rate for the ratio for representing the pixel number with color component relative to the pixel number for forming pixel group corresponding with 1 row, image length of the adjustment thermal head in printed data formation image based on each color component on transfer film.

Description

Image forming apparatus, recording medium and image formation system
Technical field
The present invention relates to image forming apparatus, recording medium and image formation systems, more particularly to multiple using having The ink ribbon of the ink of color forms the image forming apparatus of image, for making computer one as image forming apparatus on medium Part function program, record have the program computer-readable recording medium and have using have it is multiple The ink ribbon of the ink of color forms the image forming apparatus of image on medium and can communicate with the image forming apparatus The image formation system of computer.
Background technology
In the past, it is widely known to be formed on the printed mediums such as the offset mediums such as transfer film, image carrier, card, sheet material, pipe The image forming apparatus of image.In this image forming apparatus, such as use following mode of printing：It is situated between using ink ribbon in transfer Image (mirror image) is formed in matter and then will be formed in the image of offset medium and is transferred to the indirect printing mode of printed medium；Make Image is directly formed on printed medium with ink ribbon directly prints mode.
In such image forming apparatus, generally it is overlapped to generate into each image that enforcement is made of the ink of multiple colors The colored printing of coloured image.That is, obtained from being converted according to the printed data to input or the image data of input Printed data (such as printed data of each of Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan)) is in medium (indirect printing mode When be offset medium, when directly printing mode be printed medium) on overlapping print ink (such as ink of YMC) figures of multiple colors Thus picture carries out colored printing.
In colored printing, in the printing position offset of the image relative medium of each colors of ink, in printing on media Coloured image seems fuzzy, so printing quality (image quality) reduces.The printing position offset of the image of each colors of ink shows As being commonly referred to as " color displacement ", the various technologies in the printing position for correcting each colors of ink image are disclosed.
Such as, it is proposed that printing concentration correcting pattern and color displacement correcting pattern correct to shorten on intermediate transfer band The technology (referring to patent document 1) of time is come using the unused area for being not used for image printing that can be formed in image-region It carries out the technology (with reference to patent document 2) of resist adjustment, be in upstream compared to sensor in the mark for being formed in offset medium Thermal head and pressing plate is made to clamp the technology for seeking head for carrying out offset medium and ink ribbon later in the state of side (with reference to patent document 3) Deng.
In addition, the situation that above-mentioned image forming apparatus forms image formation system together with computer is more.In computer Hard disk drive in, be equipped with for be correspondingly generated with printed medium desired image object (image data) target life It, will into application software, as needed according to the printer driver of the printed data of image object making image forming device Printing equipment side (see, for example patent document 4) is submitted in the image object or printed data of computer-side generation.
Existing technical literature
Patent document 1：Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication 2008-3396 bulletins
Patent document 2：Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication 2010-204547 bulletins
Patent document 3：Japanese Patent No. 5848129
Patent document 4：Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication 2010-89300 bulletins
Invention content
But in the field of above-mentioned image forming apparatus, with the demand of user accordingly, image forms the time of processing (printing time) shortens every year.In the background for forming reduction in processing time in the image, such as there is the heating for forming thermal head The improvement of calorific value per unit time in element.But as the disadvantage, if by making heating element needle across ink ribbon Carry out to be formed the image of wide scope and high gray scale to offset medium heating for example on main scanning direction, then due to heating element Heating and offset medium physically extends.It is formed and schemed on the transfer medium with next ink discounting for the elongation Picture then causes color displacement.In the case of indirect printing mode, if the offset medium for producing color displacement be transferred to Printed medium, then being transferred to the printing quality of the image of offset medium reduces.The phenomenon is not limited to indirect printing mode, for Directly printing in mode for medium (such as pipe, film etc.) with thermal expansion similarly generates.
The present invention in view of above-mentioned thing, subject be to provide it is a kind of can shorten to medium formed image time and Maintenance is formed in image forming apparatus, program, recording medium and the image formation system of the quality of the image of medium.
In order to solve the above problems, the 1st aspect of the present invention provides a kind of image forming apparatus, using with multiple face The ink ribbon of the ink of color forms image on medium, which is characterized in that described image forming apparatus has：Image forming unit, tool There is thermal head and transport the medium conveying unit of the medium；Storage unit, for preserving the printed data of each color component；With And control unit, control described image form unit, described control unit is stored in every in the storage unit according to composition The gray scale of the pixel of the pixel group corresponding with 1 row of the main scanning direction of the thermal head of the printed data of a color component Value and the ratio for representing the pixel number with color component relative to the pixel number for forming pixel group corresponding with 1 row The image formation rate of example, adjusts and is formed with printed data of the thermal head on media described based on each color component Image length during image.
In first method, control unit can also be removed by changing the row period of thermal head and/or by medium conveying unit The conveyance speed of medium is sent, adjusts the image length when printed data based on each color component forms image.In addition, control Unit can also detect gray value and image formation rate, the ash detected according to this according to the printed data of each color component Angle value and image formation rate adjust the image length when printed data based on each color component forms image.And then it controls Unit processed can also be after the printed data of each color component be generated, by each of the generation according to the image data of input The printed data of color component is saved in storage unit.
In addition, control unit can also be adjusted according to gray value and image formation rate based on each color component Printed data forms the elongation of the sub-scanning direction of thermal head generated in the medium for every 1 row during image.And then it controls single Member can also be so that image length when printed data based on each color component forms image becomes pre-determined constant The mode of value is adjusted.
In addition, in order to solve the above problems, the 2nd aspect of the present invention provides a kind of recording medium having program recorded thereon, it should Program makes computer be used as lower unit functions：Generation unit generates the printing of each color component according to image data Data；And detection unit, detection form the printed data of each color component that is generated by generation unit with thermal head The gray value of the pixel of the corresponding pixel group of 1 row of main scanning direction and expression are relative to composition picture corresponding with 1 row The image formation rate of the ratio of the pixel number with color component of the pixel number of plain group.In second method, meter can also be made Calculation machine is also functioned as determining means, which forms according to the gray value and image that are detected by detection unit Rate, the image length that printed data based on each color component of the decision thermal head when forming image on medium is formed Adjusted value.
In addition, in order to solve the above problems, the 3rd aspect of the present invention provides a kind of image formation system, have using tool The ink ribbon for having the ink of multiple colors forms the image forming apparatus of image on medium and can be carried out with the image forming apparatus The computer of communication, described image, which forms system, to be had：Generation unit generates the printing of each color component according to image data Data；Detection unit, detection form the printed data of each color component that is generated by the generation unit with thermal head The gray value of the pixel of the corresponding pixel group of 1 row of main scanning direction and expression are relative to composition picture corresponding with 1 row The image formation rate of the ratio of the pixel number with color component of the pixel number of plain group；And determining means, according to by described The gray value and image formation rate that detection unit detects, base when determining to form image on media described with the thermal head In the adjusted value of image length that the printed data of each color component is formed.
According to the present invention, according to gray value and image formation rate, adjustment thermal head is based on each color on medium The printed data of component forms image length during image, thus no matter the elongation of the medium generated due to the heating of thermal head How color displacement can be prevented, so following effect can be obtained：The calorific value of thermal head can be improved to shorten image The time is formed, and maintains the quality of the image formed on medium.
Description of the drawings
Fig. 1 is the structure diagram of control/communication system of the print system of the applicable first embodiment of the present invention.
Fig. 2 is the front elevation for showing to form the outline structure of the printing equipment of print system.
Fig. 3 is the definition graph of the action of the Printing Department of printing equipment, and (A) shows that Printing Department is in the shape of standby posture State, (B) show that Printing Department is in the state of printing posture, and (C) shows that Printing Department is in the state of conveyance posture.
The front elevation of printing equipment when Fig. 4 is transfer.
Fig. 5 is the definition graph for the image formation starting position for schematically illustrating transfer film, and (A) shows to use relative image shape The situation that image forms starting position is set into the mark of the upstream side in direction, (B) shows to form direction using relative image Downstream side mark come set image formed starting position situation.
The definition graph of the transfer position of transfer film when Fig. 6 is transfer, (A) shows not generate elongation in printing zone Situation, (B) show to produce the situation of elongation in printing zone.
Fig. 7 is the functional block diagram of the control unit for the epigyny device for forming print system.
Fig. 8 is the flow chart of the handling routine of printer driver that the CPU of the control unit of epigyny device is performed.
Fig. 9 is an example for schematically illustrating the picture shown on the monitor of epigyny device by target generating unit Definition graph.
Figure 10 is that the control unit of epigyny device detects the every of printed data corresponding with 1 row of the main scanning direction of thermal head The definition graph when gray value of a pixel group and image formation rate.
Figure 11 is to schematically illustrate gray value and the chart of image formation rate and the relationship of coefficient of elongation.
Figure 12 is the stream of card distribution routine that the CPU of the microcomputer component (MCU) of the control unit of printing equipment is performed Cheng Tu.
Figure 13 is the flow chart of the print system of the applicable second embodiment of the present invention, and (A) shows epigyny device The handling routine for the printer driver that the CPU of control unit is performed, (B) show that the CPU of the MCU of the control unit of printing equipment is performed Adjusted value determine routine.
Figure 14 is the flow chart of the print system of the applicable third embodiment of the present invention, and (A) shows epigyny device The handling routine for the printer driver that the CPU of control unit is performed, (B) show that the CPU of the MCU of the control unit of printing equipment is performed Adjusted value determine routine.
(symbol description)
1：Printing equipment (image forming apparatus)；40：Thermal head；41：Ink ribbon；46：Transfer film (medium)；49：Film transports Roller (part for medium conveying unit)；70：Control unit (control unit)；77：Memory (storage unit)；100：Print system (image formation system)；152：Target generating unit (generation unit)；153：Printer driver (detection unit, determining means)； B：Printing Department's (image forming unit)；Mr5：Film conveyance motor (part for medium conveying unit).
Specific embodiment
(first embodiment)
Hereinafter, with reference to attached drawing, illustrate the of the print system for applying the present invention to be made of printing equipment and computer One embodiment.
1. structure
1-1. print systems 100
As shown in Figure 1, the print system 100 of present embodiment includes：Printing equipment 1, hard copy character, figure on card Picture, and the information that magnetic mode or electric mode are carried out to card records；And epigyny device 101 (such as personal computer etc. is main Computer), it can communicate with print system 1.
Printing equipment 1 is connect with epigyny device 101, can be sent from epigyny device 101 to printing equipment 1 printed data, Record data of magnetic mode or electric mode etc. and indicate operation of recording etc..In addition, printing equipment 1 has guidance panel portion (behaviour Make display unit) 5, other than it can carry out the instruction of the operation of recording from epigyny device 101, additionally it is possible to carry out from operating surface The operation of recording instruction of plate portion 5.
1-2. epigyny devices 101
In epigyny device 101, as hardware configuration, have CPU, ROM, RAM and hard disk drive (hereinafter referred to as ) and the communication unit including communication interface 155 (with reference to Fig. 7) HDD.
The image-input devices such as digital camera, scanner 104 are connected to epigyny device 101, for epigyny device The input units 103 such as 101 input orders, the keyboard of data, mouse, the display for carrying out the data generated by epigyny device 101 etc. The monitors 102 such as liquid crystal display.
1-3. printing equipments 1
1-3-1. mechanism part
As shown in Fig. 2, printing equipment 1 has housing 2, have information recording part A, Printing Department B, rotation structure in housing 2 Part F and curling correction mechanism G.In addition, printing equipment 1 has the medium supply unit C that may be mounted to housing 2, medium receiving portion D And it is installed to the waste product accumulation portion 54 of the side of the housing 2 of the side opposite with medium receiving portion D.
(1) information recording part A
Information recording part A includes magnetic recording portion 24, non-contact IC record portion 23 and contact IC record portions 27.These Three record portions are selective structure, and more than one record portion is installed according to the hope of user.
(2) medium supply unit C
Medium supply unit C is with (inclination) vertical-position arranges and stores multiple cards Ca.Separation is formed in its front bottom end Opening 7 is extracted foremost card Ca out with pick-up roller 19 and is supplied successively.In the present embodiment, as card Ca, horizontal stroke 85.6 is used The card of standard (specification) size of [mm], vertical 53.9 [mm].Pick-up roller 19 passes through pickup motor (stepper motor) (not shown) Driving force is rotated.
(3) revolving member F
The card Ca for the blank extracted out from medium supply unit C is by being configured the loading roller 22 on oblique medium transport path P0 It is moved to revolving member F.Revolving member F includes rotationally being pivotally supported rotating turret 50 and the rotatable earth's axis branch in shell 2 Two rollers in the rotating turret 50 are held to 20,21.Loading roller 22 and roller transport motor to 20,21 by the (not shown) first card The driving force of the stepper motor of positive and negative rotation (can) is rotated, and revolving member F (can positive and reverse return by rotation motor (not shown) Turn stepper motor) driving force rotated.In addition, be formed with gear in the periphery of rotating turret 50, and fitted to rotation horse The gear engagement of the motor drive shaft reached.
In the periphery of revolving member F, it is configured with above-mentioned magnetic recording portion 24, non-contact IC record portion 23 and contact IC Record portion 27.Roller is formed to 20,21 to be transported for the medium of from any one conveyance card Ca to these record portions 23,24,27 Road 65, with these record portions, to card Ca in a manner of magnetic or data are written in electric mode.In addition, near revolving member F, match The temperature sensors Th such as the thermistor of detection environment temperature (external air temperature) are equipped with, are examined according to temperature sensor Th The environment temperature measured is configured the temperature correction of the heating elements of (aftermentioned) such as the thermal head in Printing Department B, hot-rolling.
(4) Printing Department B
Printing Department B includes：Each colors of ink image of ink ribbon 41 with thermal head 40 is overlapped and transferred by image forming part B1 Image is formed on film 47；And transfer section B2, the image that transfer film 46 is will be formed in by hot-rolling 33 are transferred in horizontal media The card Ca transported on transport path P1.Printing Department B has across image forming part B1 and transfer section B2 and transports transfer film 46 The film transport mechanism 10 of (image forming area).
In addition, in Printing Department B, it is provided with for the horizontal media of the conveyance card Ca on the extended line of medium carrying channel 65 Transport path P1.On horizontal media transport path P1, the carrying roller of oriented transfer section B2 conveyances card Ca is configured to 29,30.
(5) curling correction mechanism G
In the downstream side of transfer section B2, on the extended line of horizontal media transport path P1, be provided with for receiving heap The horizontal media transport path P2 of card Ca after the conveyance transfer of product portion 60.Conveyance card is configured on horizontal media transport path P2 The carrying roller of Ca is to 37,38.In addition, the carrying roller being disposed in horizontal media transport path P1, P2 to 29 to carrying roller to 38 Each roller (including roller platen 31) driving force of the motor stepper motor of positive and negative rotation (can) is transported by the (not shown) second card It is rotated.
The part that carrying roller forms curling correction mechanism G to 37,38.Correction mechanism G is crimped by using downwards to be convex The curling straightening members 34 of shape press both ends will card Ca folders to the central portion of the card Ca of 37,38 clampings (nip) by carrying roller To between the fixed concave curling straightening members 35 in position, thus correct due to the thermal transfer of hot-rolling 33 and produced on card Ca Raw warpage.Curling correction mechanism G is configured to make curling straightening members 34 in Fig. 2 by including the structure of eccentric cam 36 It retreats in shown upper and lower directions.
(6) medium receiving portion D
Medium receiving portion D has：Accumulation portion 60 is accommodated, there is card mounting table, accommodates and is moved from curling correction mechanism G sides Card Ca；And elevating mechanism 61, it is configured to the number according to the card Ca for being layered in card mounting table, is moved to the lower side of Fig. 2.
(7) details of Printing Department B
Next, about Printing Department B, according to image forming part B1, transfer section B2, Printing Department B action (position), image forms starting position and transfers the sequence detailed description of starting position.
(7-1) image forming part B1
(a) critical piece of image forming part B1
Roller platen 45 and thermal head 40 are the critical pieces for forming image forming part B1, in the position opposed with roller platen 45 It is configured with thermal head 40.When image is formed, roller platen 45 is crimped onto thermal head 40 across transfer film 46 and ink ribbon 41. That is, roller platen 45 be configured to by make the first eccentric cam of illustration omitted rotation and can relative thermal head 40 retreat.
Thermal head 40 has multiple (being in the present example 1300) heating elements that setting is arranged on main scanning direction, It is controlled by head and computer heating control is selectively carried out to these heating elements according to printed data with IC (not shown), via ink ribbon 41 form image on transfer film 46.In the present embodiment, when image is formed, film transport mechanism 10 is for thermal head 40 Every 1 row (line) is with conveyance speed (the conveyance speed is known as benchmark conveyance speed below) conveyance of 0.8ms (1/1000 second) Transfer film 46, matchedly, the row period (image forming time of 1 row) of thermal head 40 are set to 0.8 [ms/line] (the row period is known as the reference row period below).In addition, benchmark conveyance speed and reference row period are in thermal head What 40 image was formed premised on middle transfer film 46 does not extend and was set.
(b) transfer film 46
Transfer film 46 is presented with the band-like of the slightly big width of the width direction than card Ca, according to the ink for receiving ink ribbon 41 Black receiving layer, protection ink receiving layer surface protective layer, for promoting black receiving layer and protective layer by heating The peeling layer integrally removed, the sequence of base material (base film) are laminated to be formed.
As shown in Fig. 5 (A), in transfer film 46, formed according to certain intervals with cross-section and image shape indicated by an arrow Into direction (sub-scanning direction of thermal head 40) intersect width direction (main scanning direction of thermal head 40) mode formed and For determining that image forms the mark of starting position, image forming area Ri is set as between these marks.That is, image forms area The mark Ma of upstream side and the mark Mb in downstream side that Ri images in domain are formed on direction delimited.In addition, in present embodiment The image of image forming area Ri forms direction (transverse direction of Fig. 5 (A)) and is sized to 94 [mm], width direction (Fig. 5 (A) longitudinal direction) 60 [mm] are sized to, the thickness (width) of mark Ma, Mb are each set to 4 [mm].
In addition, in Fig. 5 (A), the rectangular region indicated by the solid line in image forming area Ri is thermal head 40 Printing zone Rp, the region of double dot dash line is the size of card Ca.In the present embodiment, the printing zone Rp of thermal head 40 exists 86.6 [mm] are set in the transverse direction of Fig. 5 (A), are set to 54.9 [mm] in the longitudinal direction, the card Ca of relative standard's size exists It is respectively provided on direction up and down (size for being more than card Ca) more than needed of 0.5 [mm] left and right.In other words, indicate the front end of Ma Rear end to the image formation of distance and mark Mb to the printing zone Rp (image formation end position) of thermal head 40 starts The distance of position PA is respectively 3.7 [mm].
As shown in Fig. 2, by the driving of motor Mr2, Mr4, transfer film 46 is respectively for the supply roller 47 in transfer bellows It winds or extracts out with take-up roll 48.That is, in transfer bellows, there is supply spool 47A in the center configuration of supply roller 47, rolling up There is winding reel 48A around the center configuration of roller 48, the rotary driving force of motor Mr2 is transmitted to supply roll through not shown gear The rotary driving force of axis 47A, motor Mr4 are transmitted to winding reel 48A through not shown gear.As motor Mr2 and horse Up to Mr4, using can positive and negative rotation DC motors.To the motor drive shaft of motor Mr2, Mr4, in the position of the side opposite with output shaft side Place is put, is provided with the encoder (not shown) for the rotating speed for detecting these motors respectively.
In addition, in the present embodiment, the transfer film 46 before transfer process is wound onto supply spool 47A, used ( Transfer treated part in transfer section B2) transfer film 46 be winding to winding reel 48A.Therefore, for transfer film 46 When carrying out image formation processing (also known as primary transfer processing) and transfer process (also known as secondary transfer printing processing), for the time being from Supply spool 47A extracts transfer film 46 out to winding reel 48A sides, is carried out while transfer film 46 are wound with supply spool 47A Image forms processing and transfer process.
(c) film transport mechanism 10
Film carrying roller 49 is the main driven roller for transporting transfer film 46, by controlling the driving of the film carrying roller 49, is turned The computed carrier amount and conveyance stop position of die 46 are determined.Film carrying roller 49 with can positive and negative rotation film conveyance motor Mr5 (step Into motor) connection.When film carrying roller 49 drives, motor Mr2, Mr4 also drive, but will be from supply roller 47, take-up roll 48 The transfer film 46 of one party extraction is wound with the opposing party, is removed with film is played for the component to the transfer film 46 of conveyance imparting tension The booster action sent.To the roll shaft of film carrying roller 49, it is provided with encoder (not shown).
In the circumferential surface of film carrying roller 49, it is configured with pinch roller 32a and pinch roller 32b.In addition, being provided with prevents pinch roller 32a, 32b leave film carrying roller 49 due to the tension of transfer film 46 generated when transfer film 46 is crimped onto film carrying roller 49 Tension bearing part 52.
Pinch roller 32a, 32b are configured to transport so as to counter film by rotating the second eccentric cam of illustration omitted Roller 49 is retreated, and tension bearing part 52 is also configured to by the way that the rotation of the second cam is made to retreat so as to opposite transfer film 46.This Outside, the both ends of the roll shaft of pinch roller 32a, 32b and tension bearing part 52 are fastened with what is abutted with the second eccentric cam The support member support (not shown) of idler wheel.Pinch roller 32a, 32b is shown in FIG. 2 to get into and transfer film to 49 side of film carrying roller 46 twine the state to connect to film carrying roller 49 and tension bearing part 52 with transfer film 46.The progress of transfer film 46 as a result, is removed with film Send the correct conveyance of the corresponding distance of rotating speed of roller 49.
Therefore, film transport mechanism 10 has following function：By driving be configured at image forming part B1 and transfer section B2 it Between film carrying roller 49, the positive and negative conveyance transfer film between supply roller 47, image forming part B1, transfer section B2 and take-up roll 48 46, and the image forming area Ri of transfer film 46 is made to navigate to appropriate location in image forming part B1 and transfer section B2.
In addition, between take-up roll 48 and image forming part B1 (thermal head 40, roller platen 45), sensor Se1 is configured with, Sensor Se1 has light-emitting component and photo detector and detects the mark for being formed in above-mentioned transfer film 46.In addition, in thermal head Near 40, it is configured with the cooling fan 39 for cooling down thermal head 40.
(d) ink ribbon 41
Ink ribbon 41 is accommodated in ink ribbon cartridge 42, with supply ink ribbon 41 supply roller 43 with winding ink ribbon 41 take-up roll 44 it Between the state that sets up be contained in ink ribbon cartridge 42.There is winding reel 44A in the center configuration of take-up roll 44, at the center of supply roller 43 Supply spool 43A is configured with, winding reel 44A is rotated by the driving force of motor Mr1, and supply spool 43A passes through motor The driving force of Mr3 is rotated.As motor Mr1 and motor Mr3, using can positive and negative rotation DC motors.To motor Mr1, The motor drive shaft of Mr3 is provided with the not shown of the rotating speed that detects these motors respectively in the position of the side opposite with output shaft side Encoder.
Ink ribbon 41 is the color ink by repeating Y (yellow), M (magenta), C (cyan) according to face sequence in length direction The black panel of panel and Bk (black) and form.In addition, in the present embodiment, liter is used in the color ink panel of Y, M, C Hua Mo uses fusing ink in Bk ink panels.
Between supply roller 43 and image forming part B1 (thermal head 40, roller platen 45), sensor Se2 is configured with, the biography Sensor Se2 is examined in photo detector side by carrying out the light of self-emission device side by Bk ink panel shadings to carry out the position of ink ribbon 41 It surveys, for carrying out seeking head to the ink ribbon 41 of image forming part B1.
(e) with the relationship of transfer section B2
By removing idler wheel 25 and peeling member 28, tear from transfer film 46 and finish the image formation to transfer film 46 Ink ribbon 41.Peeling member 28 abuts to peeling member 28 when image is formed by fixed setting to ink ribbon cartridge 42, stripping idler wheel 25 And transfer film 46 and ink ribbon 41 are clamped with the two, so as to be removed.Then, the drive that the ink ribbon 41 being stripped passes through motor Mr1 Power is winding to take-up roll 44, and transfer film 46 is transported to transfer section B2 by film transport mechanism 10.In addition, roller platen 45 The both ends of roll shaft and stripping idler wheel 25 (are not schemed by the support member for being fastened with the idler wheel abutted with above-mentioned first eccentric cam Show) support, it is rotated by the first cam, roller platen 45 is released from the crimping of thermal head 40, and at the same time, stripping idler wheel 25 is right The abutting of peeling member 28 is also released from.
In the downstream side of film carrying roller 49, it is configured with the sensor Se3 for detecting the mark for being formed in transfer film 46.With The Mark Detection is opportunity, starts to transport towards transfer section B2 and be pressed from both sides by the carrying roller on horizontal media transport path P1 to 29,30 It holds and transports the card Ca in stopping (standby), so that the image forming area Ri (printing zone Rp) of transfer film 46 and card Ca are simultaneously Reach transfer section B2.In addition, as sensor Se3, the one-piece type sensor of transmission is used.
(7-2) transfer section B2
In transfer section B2, transfer film 46 is clamped together with card Ca by hot-rolling 33 and roller platen 31, is formed in transfer film The image of 46 image forming area Ri is transferred to card Ca.That is, in transfer, across 46 (image of card Ca and transfer film Forming region Ri), hot-rolling 33 is crimped onto roller platen 31, card Ca and transfer film 46 are transported to the same direction with identical speed.This Outside, hot-rolling 33 is installed in elevating mechanism (not shown), roller platen 31 is crimped/be left across transfer film 46.
Transfer film 46 after image is transferred by be configured at hot-rolling 33 with form carrying roller to 37 driven voller (Fig. 2's The roller of downside) between strip pin 79 from card Ca separation (stripping) and be transported to 47 side of supply roller.On the other hand, it will be transferred Downstream the curling correction mechanism G of side is transported (referring also to Fig. 4) the card Ca of image on horizontal media transport path P2.
The action of (7-3) Printing Department B
Printing Department B by control the rotation of above-mentioned first, second eccentric cam and using standby posture, printing posture and Free position in these three postures of conveyance posture.
(a) standby posture
Fig. 3 (A) is to show that Printing Department B is in the figure of the state of standby posture.In this state, pinch roller 32a, 32b be not Film carrying roller 49 is crimped onto, tension bearing part 52 does not also connect with film carrying roller 49.In addition, roller platen 45 is not crimped onto temperature-sensitive First 40, stripping idler wheel 25 does not also abut with peeling member 28.
(b) posture is printed
Fig. 3 (B) is to show that Printing Department B is transferred to the figure of the state of printing posture.At this point, first, pinch roller 32a, 32b will Transfer film 46 is twined to film carrying roller 49, and tension bearing part 52 connects with transfer film 46, and later, roller platen 45 is crimped onto heat Quick head 40.Under the printing posture, 45 heat sensitive head 40 of roller platen moves and clamps transfer film 46 and ink ribbon 41.
In this state, transfer film 46 is transported by the rotation of film carrying roller 49, meanwhile, ink ribbon 41 is also by motor The action of Mr1 and be wound roller 44 and wind and transport in a same direction.During the conveyance, it is formed in transfer film 46 Mark reaches the time point of image formation starting position (aftermentioned) by sensor Se1 and transfer film 46, in the figure of transfer film 46 As forming image by thermal head 40 in forming region Ri.
With film carrying roller 49 is set encoder detection transfer film 46 computed carrier amount (conveyance direction of transfer film 46 away from From), the rotation of corresponding mulch carrying roller 49 stops, meanwhile, the volume of take-up roll 44 carried out by the action of motor Mr1 Around also stopping.The image carried out as a result, using the ink of initial black panel (such as Y) to the image forming area Ri of transfer film 46 Formation terminates.
(c) posture is transported
After the image carried out using the ink of initial black panel is formed, Printing Department B is transferred to conveyance posture, coining Roller 45 is kept out of the way (stripping idler wheel 25 is also released from the abutting of peeling member 28) from thermal head 40.Fig. 3 (C) is to show Printing Department B It is transferred to the figure of the state of conveyance posture.In this state, still, pinch roller 32a, 32b twines transfer film 46 to film carrying roller 49, tension bearing part 52 connects with transfer film 46.
In this state, by the reversed rotation of film carrying roller 49, transfer film 46 is reversed conveyance to initial position and (seeks Head position).Control the amount of movement of transfer film 46 also by the rotation of film carrying roller 49 at this time, but with the black face of a color The predetermined length amounts that plate (such as Y) is formed with more than the length of the conveyance direction of the image forming area Ri of image are reversed conveyance And initial position is back to, so that test position of the mark more than sensor Se1.In addition, ink ribbon 41 also by motor Mr3 and by Backrush predetermined amount, the black panel for then allowing the ink for being used to form image are standby in initial position (seeking a position).
(d) the posture transfer in printing action
In colored printing action, transfer film 46 and ink ribbon 41 are being transported to initial position respectively by transporting posture And then the secondary printing posture being transferred to shown in Fig. 3 (B), roller platen 45 is made to be crimped onto thermal head 40, the conveyance of film carrying roller 49 turns The image forming area Ri of die 46 carries out image using the ink of next black panel (such as M) by thermal head 40 and is formed.
In this way, until the image formation carried out using the ink of whole or scheduled black panel is terminated, print repeatedly The action of posture and conveyance posture.Then, after the image carried out using thermal head 40 is formed, roller platen 45 is released to heat The crimping of quick head 40.Later, the driving of motor Mr5 (and motor Mr2, Mr4) is transported by film, transports and transfers to transfer section B2 The image forming area Ri of film 46.
(7-4) image forms starting position and transfer starting position
(a) image forms starting position
Motor Mr5 is transported by drive membrane, after the front end for detecting mark Ma in sensor Se1, is indicating Ma to figure When transported preset distance (such as a few mm) as forming portion B1 sides, thermal head 40 is started with for image forming area Ri forms image.The position is that image shown in Fig. 5 (A) forms starting position PA (front end from mark Ma is 90.3 [mm] Position).In addition, motor Mr1 also drives simultaneously, so as to transfer film 46 and ink ribbon 41 in image forming part B1 with identical speed It is transported in the same direction.
In addition, in image formation processing (image formation starts) in the past, the heating element of composition thermal head 40, which is prepared, to be added (heating element is heated to lower than the temperature of image forming area Ri that the ink of ink ribbon 41 is transferred to transfer film 46 make a reservation for heat Temperature).
(b) starting position is transferred
The front elevation of printing equipment 1 when Fig. 4 shows to transfer in transfer section B2.In transfer process, with sensor Se3 Detection indicates Mb to carry out seeking head.In the present embodiment, drive membrane conveyance motor Mr5 detects mark Mb in sensor Se3 Front end after by transfer film 46 further conveyance 30 [mm] position be set to transfer starting position.
Fig. 6 (A) is the figure not generated in the image forming area Ri for be schematically illustrated in transfer film 46 in the case of extending As the figure of the contraposition of forming region Ri and card Ca.As shown in Fig. 6 (A), in transfer section B2, so that the printing zone of thermal head 40 The center that the image of Rp forms the length direction of the center Cn and card Ca of the length on direction is the mode of identical position, is carried out Transfer film 46 seeks head.Under the state (state for not generating elongation in image forming area Ri), by existing as described above Sensor Se3 detects that transfer film 46 is further transported 30 [mm], the image shape of printing zone Rp by the front end of mark Mb later Center Cn into the length on direction is consistent with the center of the length direction of card Ca.
1-3-2. control unit
As shown in Figure 1, printing equipment 1 has the control unit 70 for carrying out the whole action control of printing equipment 1.Control unit 70 Microcomputer component 72 (hereinafter referred to as MCU72) with control printing equipment 1.MCU72 is included as at central operation Reason device worked using high-frequency clock CPU, be stored with printing equipment 1 program, the ROM of program data, the workspace as CPU The RAM that plays a role and connect their internal bus.
External bus is connected to MCU72.To external bus, it is connected to communication IC and is carried out with epigyny device 101 The communication unit 71 of communication, provisionally preserve should be formed on card Ca image printed data, should in a manner of magnetic or electricity mode remember The memory 77 of the magnetic stripe for recording card Ca, the record data for accommodating IC etc..
In addition, to external bus be connected to processing from above-mentioned each sensor, the signal of encoder signal processing part 73, Actuator control unit 74 including the motor driver to each motor supply drive pulse, driving power etc. has above-mentioned head control System with IC and for control the thermal energy for the heating element for forming thermal head 40 thermal head control unit 75, for controlling operation panel The operation display control unit 76 in portion 5, above- mentioned information record portion A and block Ca dual conveyance etc. and caused conveyance mistake, letter The buzzer operating circuit 78 that buzzer 6 is made to work when record caused by breath record portion A fails etc..
2. the technical background of print system 100
Here, simply illustrate the technical background of the print system 100 of present embodiment.
It is such as also described in " invention content " column, according to printed data (when printed data includes the pixel of a large amount of high gray scales When), using the heating element of thermal head 40 to printing zone Rp formation images as a result, the image forming area Ri of transfer film 46 It can be extended on the sub-scanning direction of thermal head 40.
In the print system 100 of present embodiment, premised on such elongation is generated in transfer film 46, according to When the printed data of each color component forms in image forming area Ri image with thermal head 40, expect in transfer film 46 The elongation of generation and the image length for adjusting printing zone Rp.That is, by so that the image of printing zone Rp forms the figure in direction As the mode that length becomes constant (in the present example as illustrating with reference to Fig. 5 (A) be 86.6 [mm]) is adjusted, face is prevented Color shift.
The present inventor leads to the elongation of transfer film 46 about which type of element of printed data, has been carried out greatly using real machine Amount experiment.Finally, it is found that the picture of the pixel group of composition printed data corresponding with 1 row of the main scanning direction of thermal head 40 The gray value of element and expression are relative to the pixel number for forming pixel group corresponding with 1 row of the main scanning direction of thermal head 40 (printed data) have color component pixel number ratio image formation rate be transfer film 46 elongation main original Cause.
According to the opinion, in printing equipment 1, according to the gray value of every 1 row and image formation rate, with thermal head 40 It is adjusted in a manner of the image length of printing zone Rp is made to become constant when forming image.In order to so that image length becomes Constant mode is adjusted, and expects the elongation generated in printing zone Rp, the reference row period of relatively above-mentioned thermal head 40, Shorten the row period.Furthermore, it is possible to changed the row period for every 1 row, but in image forming area Ri during formation image, The conveyance speed of transfer film 46 is maintained as constant speed.
3. action
Next, illustrate the action of the print system 100 of present embodiment.
3-1. acts summary
In the print system 100 of present embodiment, 101 side of epigyny device from image data transformation be each color point The printed data of amount detects the gray value of every 1 row of the printed data of each color component and image formation rate.Next, According to the gray value of every 1 row and image formation rate, determine in printing equipment 1 in the image forming area Ri of transfer film 46 The adjusted value in the row period of every 1 row of the thermal head 40 in (printing zone Rp) during formation image.Epigyny device 101 is by each face The printed data and the adjusted value in row period of colouring component are sent to printing equipment 1.On the other hand, in 1 side of printing equipment, according to In image forming area Ri, image is formed by thermal head 40 for the printed data and adjusted value received.Hereinafter, it is described in detail These actions.
The action of 3-2. epigyny devices 101
As shown in fig. 7, CPU, ROM, RAM and HDD of epigyny device 101 are functioned as control unit 150.That is, control Portion 150 processed makes CPU play work(as main body according to the program (and program data) for preserving in ROM and being unfolded in RAM Energy.
In the HDD of control unit 150, it is equipped with to generate the desired image data (image object) for being printed onto card Ca Target generation application software, according to target generation application software generate image data generation printing equipment 1 printing Printer driver (application software) of data etc..
The program of these application software both can be via the upper dress such as CD-ROM, floppy disk (FD), USB storage, ZIP, MO It puts 101 recording mediums that can be read and is installed to HDD, it can also be via in the case where epigyny device 101 forms a member of network Communication unit 155 obtains program from other computers and is installed to HDD.
The CPU for forming control unit 150 generates application software and printer driver by the target that will be mounted in HDD As being simultaneously or selectively unfolded in RAM using 151, target generating unit 152 and printer driver 153 are realized Function.In addition, HDD also as be stored in target generating unit 152 and printer driver 153 making (processing) or The data saving part 154 for having made the data of (processing) functions.
3-2-1. target generating unit 152
Target generating unit 152 has the individual target generating unit for generating each printing target, the target for merging multiple targets Merging portion is output to printer driver according to the image data generating section of merging target generation image data, by image data etc. GDI (the Graphics Device Interface (graphical device interface), with reference to Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication 2004-194041 of device 153 Bulletin).It is carried in addition, these each portions other than GDI have to be used to utilize from OS (Operating System, operating system) The function of confession carries out the GUI controlled with the input and output of monitor 102, input unit 103, image-input device 104 (Graphic User Interface, graphical user interface) function.
(1) individual target generating unit
Fig. 9 is the situation for schematically illustrating the printing target for making the name " knowing wealth beggar " for the owner for being printed onto card Ca Under the picture shown in monitor 102 example figure.The example be operating personnel in " text input " column from defeated Enter the input through keyboard " knowing wealth beggar " (text data) of device 103, with the mouse of input unit 103 input fontname (not shown) Title, font size, pattern/decoration, character color, background color etc. print the example of information, and display is according to defeated in preview column The text data and the printing target of printing information generation entered.
Operating personnel operate (amendment) input unit 103 while with reference to preview, thus make desired printing target (text data) clicks OK button.Individual target generating unit is taken into a printing target (the size letter including target as a result, Breath), assign name, the number for determining the printing target, and the receiving printing target in pre-determined file.This Outside, in this example embodiment, show that the printing target shown in " preview " column is made of and the word of these characters multiple characters The identical printing target such as body, font size, but printing target can be both made of a character, it can also be by multiple character structures Into and each character be different fonts, font size.
Company name, the ID that card Ca is typically configured to further include belonging to the owner other than the name for including the owner are numbered Etc. various printing targets (text data), thus individual target generating unit can be generated according to above-mentioned example it is other (other than name ) printing target, multiple printing targets that collecting post generates in above-mentioned file.In addition, company name is common, so The printing target that is accommodated in other files can be copied to accommodate above-mentioned file.
In addition, in card Ca, the facial photo of the owner is generally also printed, the LOGO of company indicates, the background image of card The situation for waiting image objects is more, these image objects can also be contained in above-mentioned file or or be contained in it Its file.In addition, such image object can be both taken into from image-input device 104, it can also be via 155 profit of communication unit The image object preserved in other computers.
(2) target merging portion
Operating personnel make the desired image mesh for being printed onto card Ca according to the multiple targets accommodated in above-mentioned file Mark.Whole preview image is shown in monitor 102 by target merging portion, assists being matched by multiple targets that operating personnel implement It puts.As a result, operating personnel can obtain the owner name, company name, ID number, facial photo, LOGO mark etc. be configured at The merging target of desired locations.
Target merging portion judges whether the OK button of preview image is clicked, and in the case where being clicked, being considered as should print To card Ca image (merging) target configuration it has been determined that obtain form merge target each target location information.Therefore, mesh Mark merging portion has the function of the location information for adding each target.In addition, in the present embodiment, the position letter of each target Breath is contained in above-mentioned file, but can also be contained in other files.
(3) image data generating section
Each printing object transformation of text data is the image data such as bitmap by image data generating section, and generation is directed to The image data that all image datas are merged into one per one side of card Ca.
In addition, image data generating section allows operating personnel's selection that the image data of generation is used for two-face printing or single side Which of printing and which of the surface for card Ca or the back side, using its result as the category of image data Property information obtain.And then image data generating section operating personnel are required should to be recorded the magnetic stripe of card Ca, IC data input With determining for record portion (23,24,27), obtain its input results and be used as record data.
Then, using API, (Application Program Interface, application program connect image data generating section Mouthful) function, above-mentioned image data, attribute information and record data are output to GDI.
(4)GDI
GDI utilizes DDI (Device Driver Interface (device driver interface), with reference to Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication 2002- No. 91428 bulletins) function, the image data accommodated in a file, attribute information and record data are submitted to and beaten Print machine driver 153.
3-2-2. printer drivers 153
Printer driver 153 has the conversion process for the printed data of each color component from image data transformation Portion, each color component of detection printed data gray value and image formation rate detection process portion, determine thermal head 40 The decision processing unit of the adjusted value in the row period of every 1 row and printed data, attribute information and record data etc. will be contained Portfolios are to the transmission processe department of printing equipment 1.
Fig. 8 is the flow chart of the handling routine of printer driver that the CPU of control unit 150 is performed.Respectively based on CPU Body, conversion process portion perform the conversion process of step (hereinafter referred to as " S ") 202, and detection process portion performs the gray value of S204 And image formation rate detection process, determine that processing unit performs the adjusted value decision processing of S206, transmission processe department performs S208 Transmission processing.Hereinafter, illustrate the processing that each portion carries out.
(1) conversion process portion
Conversion process portion is directed to the image data in the data out of target generating unit 152 (GDI) receives file, greatly Two conversion process are performed in cause.
First conversion process is to handle mirror transformation of the image data transformation for mirror image.In addition, at the mirror transformation Reason may not carry out in 101 side of epigyny device (conversion process portion), and the printed data that can also be directed to each color component is printing 1 side of device carries out.
Second conversion process is the following three image conversion process for the image data after mirror transformation.This Outside, in these image conversion process, in the present embodiment, with 256 gray scales of 0~255 range of gray value, transformation is formed Y, each pixel of the printed data of M, C, Bk.
1) from using R (red), G (green), B (indigo plant) as the image data of picture content to using Y, M, C as color component The transformation of printed data.
2) transformation (correction) arbitrarily carried out in above-mentioned transformation 1), for example, it is as follows：
(a) hue adjustment (is user preferences, detailed content is referring for example to Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication 8-80640 by gamma transformation Number).
(b) linear transformation (correction printing equipment 1 color development characteristic (output-printing concentration of heat sensitive head 40), in detail in Hold referring for example to Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication 6-30271).
(c) environmental correction (the color development characteristic in correction thermal head, printing equipment 1 caused by the environment such as temperature, detailed content example As with reference to Japanese Unexamined Patent Application 63-115766).
(d) edge enhancement transformation (emphasizes the transformation such as the profile of face, detailed content is referring for example to Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2007-320050).
(e) (the color development characteristic structurally of correction thermal head 40, detailed content is referring for example to Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication for the correction of head resistance Flat No. 7-125284).
In addition, in the case of the transformation (correction) for carrying out above-mentioned (c)~(e), print is obtained via communication unit 155 in advance It is carried out after the predetermined information (environment temperature etc.) of brush device 1.
3) it is converted for using Bk (black) as the shake of the image data of color component.Shake transformation is in such as this example It is carried out in the case of the ink fusing ink of the Bk ink panels of ink ribbon 41 shown in son, but is fusing in the color ink panel of ink ribbon 41 In the situation (situation other than this example) of type shake transformation is also carried out for color ink panel.
(2) detection process portion
Figure 10 schematically illustrates a color (such as Y) corresponding with printing zone Rp for thermal head 40 shown in fig. 5 The pixel of printed data.About each printed data of present embodiment, the master of the pixel number and thermal head 40 of main scanning direction sweeps The heating unit number of packages for retouching direction is accordingly formed by 1300, and the pixel number of sub-scanning direction is formed by 2048.
Detection process portion about by conversion process portion convert after Y, M, C each printed data, as shown in Figure 10, detection with The gray value and image formation rate of the corresponding each pixel group of 1 row of the main scanning direction of thermal head 40.In addition, in this implementation In mode, since each pixel group for being directed to printed data corresponding with 1 row of the main scanning direction of thermal head 40 can be formed The pixel number of image is 1300, so image formation rate is the picture relative to the 1300 composition printed data corresponding with 1 row Gray value in the pixel of plain group is the ratio of more than 1 pixel number.
(3) processing unit is determined
Determine processing unit according to the gray value and figure of each pixel group corresponding with 1 row detected by detection process portion As formation rate, the adjusted value in the row period of every 1 row of thermal head 40 is determined.
First, each row of the processing unit about the printed data of Y, M, C is determined, according to each pixel group corresponding with 1 row Gray value and image formation rate with reference to the following table 1 (carrying out pro rate calculating), calculate being carried out using the ink of Y, M, C for every 1 row Image form caused respective coefficient of elongation.About the gray value, even if as pixel group corresponding with 1 row is formed The average gray value of each pixel, the situation low compared to gray value, in the case of gray value height, the influence for elongation is big, So big weighting can also be carried out by high gray value.In addition, explanation is in the present embodiment, in whole rows (2048 Row) coefficient of elongation when being entirely 1.0, image forming area Ri extends 1.0 [mm].That is, the coefficient of elongation in 1 row is 1.0 In the case of, thus it is speculated that 1/2048 is extended for the row, i.e. about 0.0004883 [mm].
【Table 1】
Figure 11 is schematically illustrated in when gray value being set as X-axis, image formation rate being set as to Y-axis as the value table of Z axis The figure of the coefficient of elongation shown.For example, as represented by being used as the fourth region in figure, in the pixel group of 1 row gray value it is high (such as 255 gray scales) and image formation rate big (such as 100%) in the case of, the elongation quantitative change of film 46 is more, with coefficient of elongation therewith Become larger (such as coefficient of elongation=1).On the contrary, as in figure be used as first area represented by, gray value it is low (such as 63 gray scales with Under) and image formation rate also small (such as less than 25%) in the case of, the elongation of film 46 tails off, and coefficient of elongation also becomes therewith Small (such as coefficient of elongation=0.06).
Next, processing unit is determined with reference to the coefficient of elongation calculated and is formed in the image of from the printing zone Rp to 1 row In the pre-determined relationship (relational expression or table) of elongation [mm] (guess value) that is generated in image forming area Ri, Calculate the elongation of each (guess value) of Y, M, C generated in image forming area Ri in the image of 1 row is formed.
The elongation of each of Y, M, the C is according to the distillation degree of each black panel of ink ribbon 41, the black receiving layer of transfer film 46 Trap and it is different, so for example by obtain in thermostat in the environment of fiducial temperature (such as room temperature) to printing fill Above-mentioned relation formula or table can be made by putting the value of 1 elongation surveyed.It at this point, for example, can be by by the printing of 1 row 1000 row amount of data printing and survey its elongation, by improving the essence of measured value using its 1/1000 value as the elongation of 1 row Degree.
Next, determine processing unit according to the temperature detected by temperature sensor Th, to be directed to Y that every 1 row calculates, M, the elongation of each of C carries out temperature correction.Such temperature correction is also by with reference to the advance of the value and temperature value extended The relational expression of decision or table carry out.By obtaining in above-mentioned thermostat for example including fiducial temperature (such as room temperature) The elongation surveyed out respectively to printing equipment 1 in the environment of 10 DEG C value, can make such temperature-corrected or Person's table.In addition, after the environment temperature of printing equipment 1 is obtained via communication unit 155, the temperature correction is carried out.In addition, certainly Such temperature correction may not be carried out by determining processing unit, can also be by temperature on the basis of temperature correction.In this case, it is filled in printing It puts 1 side and carries out temperature correction for aftermentioned adjusted value.
Next, determine processing unit according to the printing zone Rp of every 1 row elongation and the adjusted value in row period it is pre- prerequisite Fixed relationship, expect the elongation generated in printing zone Rp and the temperature-sensitive for determining each row of the printed data of each color component The adjusted value in first 40 row period.For example, in the case where the coefficient of elongation of 1 row is 1.0, if the row is printed as former state, 0.0004883 [mm] can be then extended, so needing the length of 1 row from 0.0427734 [mm] (86.6/2048+0.0004883 [mm]) it is adjusted to 0.0422851 [mm] (86.6/2048 [mm]).In other words, in order to which elongation is made to become 0, to shorten the row period Mode be adjusted.In this case, shorten the decision (adjustment in row period into the row period is exercised as minus 1.15478% Value：- 1.15478%).According to the decision, in printing equipment 1, the 0.8 [ms/ in the reference row period of relative thermal head 40 Line], it is 0.8 [ms/line] × 0.9884511=0.79076 [ms/line] by row period modulation (correction).
More than, according to the decision process of the adjusted value in row period that each stage illustrates to be carried out by determining processing unit, but In fact, determine that processing unit substitutes into the gray value of every 1 row detected by detection process portion and image formation rate as former state To formula, the adjusted value in the row period of every 1 row is directly calculated.
In addition, determine that processing unit determines row corresponding with the supposition elongation of the printing zone Rp of every 1 row, thermal head 40 The adjusted value in period, but be parallel with, it is stretched according to the supposition of image forming area Ri generated when with Y ink print whole rows Long amount determines to form the adjusted value of starting position PA using the image that M ink carry out.And then according to complete with Y ink and M ink prints The supposition elongation of the image forming area Ri generated during portion's row determines to form starting position PA's using the image that C ink carry out Adjusted value.That is, it is extended according to the supposition of the image forming area Ri generated due to the printing until the color of the front Amount, the image for changing scheduled color form starting position PA.Furthermore it is possible to being obtained according to the coefficient of elongation of above-mentioned 1 row Speculate the summation of elongation, calculate supposition elongation during whole row printings.As described above, the coefficient of elongation in whole rows is whole In the case of being 1.0, the supposition elongation of whole rows is 1.0 [mm].
Determine that processing unit determines that image forms the adjusted value of starting position PA as described below.For ease of grasping, with as follows Situation is illustrated for example：When forming image (whole rows) to printing zone Rp using Y ink in image forming area Ri The supposition elongation of generation is 1.0 [mm], is produced in image forming area Ri when forming image to printing zone Rp using M ink Raw supposition elongation is 0.5 [mm], is not produced in image forming area Ri when forming image to printing zone Rp using C ink Raw elongation (speculates elongation：0[mm]).
Starting position PA is formed about image when image is formed using Y ink, area is formed due to the use of not used image Domain Ri, so being from position of the front end for 90.3mm for indicating Ma as illustrating with reference to Fig. 5 (A).Figure is formed about using M ink As when image formed starting position PA, due to using Y ink to printing zone Rp formed image when in image forming area Ri It is middle to generate the elongation of 1.0 [mm], so being the position (quilt that the front end from mark Ma is 90.3 [mm]+1.0 [mm]=91.3 [mm] It is corrected to 1.0 [mm] mark Mb sides).
Starting position PA is formed about image when image is formed using C ink, due to utilizing Y ink and M ink to printing Region Rp generates the elongation of 1.0 [mm], 0.5 [mm] respectively in image forming area Ri when forming image, so for from mark Position (be corrected as 1.5 [mms] indicate Mb side) of the front end of Ma for+0.5 [mm]=91.8 [mm] of 90.3 [mm]+1.0 [mm]. Starting position PA is formed about image when image is formed using Bk ink, due to being speculated as utilizing C ink to printing zone Rp shapes It is that the front end from mark Ma is so in the same manner as the situation of C ink into elongation is not generated during image in image forming area Ri The position (being corrected as 1.5 [mm] mark Mb sides) of+0 [mm]=91.8 [mm] of 90.3 [mm]+1.0 [mm]+0.5 [mm].That is, figure Mark Mb sides are corrected as according to the supposition elongation of image forming area Ri as forming starting position PA.
In addition, about above-mentioned decision processing unit, show that the image length of printing zone Rp is made to become steady state value (86.6 [mm]) and the mode for determining the adjusted value in the row period of adjustment thermal head 40, but can not also change the row period and determine It is fixed for adjusting the adjusted value (adjusted value of the conveyance speed of the transfer film 46 of every 1 row) of the conveyance speed of transfer film 46.
For example, in the case where the coefficient of elongation of object row is 1.0 [mm], the row period is not changed, compared to said reference Speed is transported, makes 1.15478% (adjusted value of conveyance velocity lag：- 1.15478%), by the conveyance speed of transfer film 46 from 0.8 [ms] is set as 0.79076 [ms], even if the image forming area Ri so as to transfer film 46 extends, printing zone Rp also can 86.6 [mm] are kept in appearance.
As a result, when forming image for every 1 row in printing zone Rp with thermal head 40, it can regard as in appearance not Generate the elongation of the sub-scanning direction of thermal head 40 generated in printing zone Rp.
Then, determine processing unit by the attribute information received from target generating unit 152 and record data, with conversion process portion The row period of every 1 row of the printed data of Y, M, C, Bk after transformation and the printed data of Y, M, C is (in adjustment film conveyance speed In the case of degree, the adjusted value of the conveyance speed in file) adjusted value and the image of each color form starting position PA's Adjusted value is contained in a file.
(4) transmission processe department
Transmission processe department will be according to the portfolios that the instruction of operating personnel is produced in processing unit is determined to printing Device 1.At this time it is also possible to the file produced according to the instruction of operating personnel is saved in data saving part 154.
The action of 3-3. printing equipments 1
Next, with reference to flow chart, based on the CPU (hereinafter referred to as CPU) of MCU72, illustrate 1 side of printing equipment Card distribution acts.In addition, to simplify explanation, illustrate to be positioned to original (initial) position to form each component of printing equipment 1 (such as state shown in Fig. 2) handles the initial setting that the program being stored in ROM and program data are unfolded in RAM Terminate, receive above-mentioned file from epigyny device 101 (communication processing section).In addition, due to having been described that Printing Department B The action of (image forming part B1, transfer section B2), so being simplyd illustrate in order to avoid repeating.
As shown in figure 12, in card issues routine, in S302, with image forming part B1 formed on transfer film 46 The primary transfer processing (image formation processing) of the image of (such as surface) side on one side.That is, according to being stored in memory 77 Y, the thermal head 40 of the printed data of the printed data of M, C and Bk control image forming part B1, so as in the figure of transfer film 46 As Y, M, C and Bk ink using ink ribbon 41 in forming region Ri overlap to form image.
At this point, CPU with reference to be stored in printed data in the file in memory 77 and the adjusted value in row period ( Adjust film conveyance speed in the case of, the adjusted value of the conveyance speed in file) and image formation starting position PA adjustment Value forms starting position heat sensitive head control unit 105 (head control IC) from the image after adjustment and exports printing number for every 1 row According to this and the adjusted value in row period, so as to which the heating element for arranging setting on main scanning direction be made to selectively heat to drive Thermal head 40.
With the primary transfer processing in S302 concurrently, in S304, CPU extracts card Ca out from medium supply unit C, according to guarantor There are the record data in the file in memory 77, are remembered with the magnetic recording portion 24 of configuration information record portion A, non-contact IC In record portion 23, contact IC record portions 27 some or it is multiple come carry out for card Ca record processing after, by card Ca It is transported to transfer section B2.
In next S306, in transfer section B2, turn into the image for being about to be formed on the transfer surface of transfer film 46 Print to the secondary transfer printing processing of the one side of card Ca.In addition, CPU was controlled such that before secondary transfer printing processing, make composition The temperature of the heater of hot-rolling 33 reaches predetermined temperature, and is controlled such that card Ca and the shape on the transfer surface of transfer film 46 Into image synchronization reach transfer section B2.
In next S308, curling correction process is performed, in the curling correction process, by making eccentric cam 36 It rotates and curling straightening members 34 towards curling straightening members 35 is pressed and are rectified with curling straightening members 34,35 retaining wedge Ca Warpage caused by positive card Ca.
Next, in S310, according to the attribute information in the file being stored in memory 77, two are determined whether Face is printed, and in negative evaluation, enters S320, in affirmative determination, in S312, with image forming part B1, in transfer film In 46 next image forming area Ri, the one of the image to form another side (such as back side) side is carried out similarly with S302 Secondary transfer process and enter S316.
Primary transfer processing in CPU and S312 concurrently in S314, will be held on carrying roller and be determined 37,38 The card Ca of position to curling correction mechanism 12 is transported to revolving member F via horizontal media transport path P2, P1, makes to utilize roller pair 20th, the 21 card Ca for having clamped both ends rotate 180 ° (overturning surface back side).It is similary with S306 in next S316 Ground carries out that the image formed on the next image forming area Ri of transfer film 46 is transferred to card Ca in transfer section B2 Another side secondary transfer printing processing.
Next, in S318, perform in the same manner as S308 and corrected by using curling straightening members 34,35 retaining wedge Ca Block the curling correction process of warpage caused by Ca.Then, in next S320, come to receiving accumulation portion 60 discharge card Ca End-card issues routine.
In addition, in the present embodiment, show to adjust the image length formed in image forming area Ri and Adjust thermal head 40 the row period or adjust transfer film 46 conveyance speed mode, but can also by combination the two come It is adjusted, so that even if image forming area Ri extends, also makes the length (sub-scanning direction of thermal head 40 of printing zone Rp Length) as 86.6 [mm].
In addition, in the present embodiment, show as shown in Fig. 5 (A) and (to determine that image forms starting position when seeking During PA) example of the mark Ma of direction than image forming area Ri on the upstream side is formed using relative image, but can also use Than the mark Mb of image forming area Ri downstreams.
Fig. 5 (B) is to schematically illustrate relative image forming mark Mb of the direction than image forming area Ri downstreams Start for seeking the formation of the image of the image forming area Ri for transfer film 46 in the image forming part B1 in the case of head The figure of position.As shown in Fig. 5 (B), the image formation for indicating Mb for seeking in the image forming area Ri in the case of head is opened The position that (print direction) front end that beginning position PB is set to from mark Mb is 7.7mm.In this case, Y colors are being printed When, even if the image forming area Ri elongations of transfer film 46, the position until mark Mb to image forms starting position Pb does not have It changes, image need not be adjusted in the printing after next color and forms starting position.In addition, in present embodiment In, starting position is formed from mark Mb to image and the length of printing zone Rp does not change, so without adjusting transfer Transfer starting position in portion B2.
In addition, in the present embodiment, showing to adjust the image length formed in image forming area Ri, become The row period of the thermal head 40 of more every 1 row or the mode of the conveyance speed of transfer film 46, but can also be according to the supposition of each row The sum of elongation (or average value of the coefficient of elongation of each row) is carried out in a manner of adjusted value is made to become identical in whole rows It determines.
(second embodiment)
Next, explanation applies the present invention to the second embodiment party of the print system being made of printing equipment and computer Formula.The print system 100 of second embodiment is at the adjusted value decision for carrying out described in first embodiment in 1 side of printing equipment The system of reason (with reference to Fig. 8, S206).In addition, in embodiment below second embodiment, to forming first embodiment Component, function part and the step of print system 100 add same symbol and the description thereof will be omitted, only illustrate different ground below Side.
The printer driver 153 of epigyny device 101 has conversion process portion (referring also to Figure 13 (A), S202), at detection Reason portion (referring also to Figure 13 (A), S204) and transmission processe department (referring also to Figure 13 (A), S208), without in the first embodiment party The decision processing unit illustrated in formula.Therefore, detection process portion by the attribute information received from target generating unit 152 and records number According to, with conversion process portion convert after the printed data of Y, M, C, Bk and the gray value and image of every 1 row detected formed In rate receiving a to file, instruction of the transmission processe department according to operating personnel, the file that will be produced with detection process portion Folder is sent to printing equipment 1.
On the other hand, (printing equipment 1) CPU is receiving above-mentioned file from epigyny device 101 (communication processing section) Later, it before the distribution routine of the card shown in Figure 12 is performed, performs the adjusted value shown in Figure 13 (B) and determines routine.CPU is in S254 Middle reference is stored in the printed data in the file in memory 77, performs and the epigyny device described in first embodiment The decision processing unit of 101 printer driver 153 is similarly handled, by every 1 row of the printed data of each color component The adjusted value (or adjusted value of conveyance speed) in row period and the adjusted value of image formation starting position PA are contained in and are depositing In the file preserved in reservoir 77.In addition, in S254, environment temperature that temperature in use sensor Th is detected.
(third embodiment)
Next, explanation applies the present invention to the third embodiment party for the print system being made of printing equipment and computer Formula.The print system 100 of third embodiment is to carry out the gray value and figure described in first embodiment in 1 side of printing equipment As formation rate detection process (with reference to Fig. 8, S204) and the system of adjusted value decision processing (with reference to Fig. 8, S206).
The printer driver 153 of epigyny device 101 has conversion process portion (referring also to Figure 14 (A), S202) and sends out Processing unit (referring also to Figure 14 (A), S208) is sent, at the detection process portion illustrated in the first embodiment and decision Reason portion.Therefore, conversion process portion by from after attribute information that target generating unit 152 receives and record data and transformation Y, M, the printed data of C, Bk are contained in a file, and instruction of the transmission processe department according to operating personnel will use conversion process The portfolios that portion produces are to printing equipment 1.
On the other hand, (printing equipment 1) CPU is receiving above-mentioned file from epigyny device 101 (communication processing section) Later, it before the distribution routine of the card shown in Figure 12 is performed, performs the adjusted value shown in Figure 14 (B) and determines routine.CPU is in S252 Middle reference is stored in the printed data in the file in memory 77, performs and the epigyny device described in first embodiment The detection process portion of 101 printer driver 153 is similarly handled, and in next S254, is performed and the first embodiment party The decision processing unit of the printer driver 153 of epigyny device 101 described in formula is similarly handled, by the print of each color component The adjusted value (or adjusted value of conveyance speed) and image in the row period of every 1 row of brush data form the tune of starting position PA Whole value is contained in the file preserved in memory 77.In addition, in the S252 (changes arbitrarily carried out in conversion process portion (c) changed~(e)), in S254, environment temperature that temperature in use sensor Th is detected.
(variation 1)
In the above-described embodiment, it shows and is adjusted in a manner of the image length of printing zone Rp is made to become constant Mode, but can also thermal head 40 to printing zone Rp formed image when allow image forming area Ri extend, Er Qiefang Only color displacement.
Image when the ink using the first color (such as Y) forms image to printing zone Rp in transfer film 46 forms area When elongation is generated in the Ri of domain, the distance until mark Ma to image forms starting position PA changes (referring also to Fig. 5 (A)) image, carried out using the ink of the second color (such as M) is formed starting position PA and deviated, so forming start bit in image It puts side and color displacement occurs.In addition, when generating elongation in image forming area Ri, form end position side in image and also occur Color displacement.Therefore, with the elongation of image forming area Ri accordingly, (1) image is needed to form the adjustment (school of starting position PA Just) and the adjustment of the image length of (2) printing zone Rp (correction).In addition, image formed starting position PA adjustment with it is above-mentioned First embodiment is identical, so omitting the description.
And then when elongation is generated in printing zone Rp, the image of printing zone Rp forms the center of the length on direction The center of the length direction of Cn and card Ca becomes inconsistent.Therefore, it is also desirable to the adjustment (correction) in (3) transfer section B2.
(2) adjustment of the image length of printing zone Rp
In the same manner as first embodiment, heat is adjusted according to the row period of coefficient of elongation change thermal head 40 detected The image length of the printing zone Rp of quick head 40.But relative to the row period is shortened in the first embodiment, in this embodiment party Extend the row period in formula.In addition, in the present embodiment, according to the gray value printed in same a line of color in front, certainly Determine coefficient of elongation, the row period is adjusted according to the coefficient of elongation.
Assuming that for example in the case of the predetermined row of printing M ink, the row gray value when Y ink are printed in detection as a result, Coefficient of elongation is 1.0.In this case, as explanation in the first embodiment, thus it is speculated that extend 1/2048 for the row, i.e., about 0.0004883[mm].Therefore, it in the row for printing M colors, needs the length of 1 row from 0.0422851 [mm] (86.6/2048 [mm]) it is adjusted to 0.0427734 [mm].For this purpose, determine that processing unit determines to adjust in a manner of the row period to be made to become 1.0115478 times Whole value (adjusted value：+ 1.15478%), when printing the row, make the row period from 0.8 [ms/line] as 0.8092382 [ms/ line].In addition, in the case where printing C ink, according to the elongation generated due to the printing carried out using Y ink and M ink Guess value (the sum of coefficient of elongation of each color), is adjusted in a manner of extending the row period.
In the situation for the adjustment for carrying out the row period for such as matchingly extending with the print result of the color of front thermal head 40 Under, do not need to carry out the adjustment during printing as the Y ink of the first color, but can also be when printing Y ink according to detecting Coefficient of elongation is adjusted in a manner of shortening the row period, about the amount nonetheless also extended, in M ink and C ink prints with The mode for extending the row period is adjusted.In this case, according to the adjusted value of Y ink, reduce the coefficient of elongation of M ink and C ink.
(3) adjustment of starting position is transferred
Fig. 6 (B) is the Printing Zone produced in the printing zone Rp for be schematically illustrated in transfer film 46 in the case of extending The figure of the contraposition of domain Rp and card Ca.In the present embodiment, illustrate for be speculated as in printing zone Rp using Y, M, C ink into Capable image formed in entirety generate 1.5 [mm] elongation (detection gray value and image formation rate as a result, final supposition Elongation is 1.5 [mm]).
In this case, adjustment (correction) generates in printing zone Rp in transfer section B2 the 1/2 of elongation is generated Necessity of (1.5 [mm] ÷ 2=0.75 [mm]) amount.That is, transfer film 46 will be transported after sensor Se3 detects mark Mb Position after 30 [mm]+0.75 [mm]=30.75 [mm] is set as transfer starting position.Even if as a result, in printing zone Rp Elongation is generated, can also make the center Cn of the image length on the image formation direction of printing zone Rp and blocks the length direction of Ca Center it is consistent, can prevent the image for being transferred to card Ca seem it is amesiality (especially prove photo, LOGO mark etc. match It is placed in obvious during the end of card Ca) or according to circumstances, the image for transferring front end side is cut off in the end side of card Ca.
In addition, in the present embodiment, fusing ink is used as Bk ink, in the case where using fusing ink, compared to making With the situation of distillation ink, the degree absorbed in the black receiving layer of transfer film 46 is lower (the degree higher for being attached to black receiving layer) And the elongation smaller of the printing zone Rp caused by Bk ink, so not considering the elongation caused by Bk ink.
In primary transfer processing of the CPU in S302, S312 of Figure 12, perform above-mentioned (1) image and form starting position PA Adjustment and (2) printing zone Rp adjustment.In addition, during the secondary transfer printing in S306, S316 is handled, perform above-mentioned (3) Transfer the adjustment of starting position.
On the other hand, in 101 side of epigyny device, the decision processing unit of printer driver 153 is in the print for calculating every 1 row After the elongation for brushing the image length in the Rp of region, the aggregate value of the elongation of the printed data of whole rows is calculated.Determine processing unit The aggregate value of the elongation of printing zone Rp according to whole rows and the pre-determined relationship of the adjusted value in row period determine temperature-sensitive The adjusted value in first 40 row period.In addition, determine that processing unit determines that above-mentioned (1) image forms the adjusted value of starting position PA, (2) The adjusted value of the image length of the printing zone Rp of thermal head 40 and the adjusted value of (3) transfer starting position.
Then, determine processing unit by the attribute information received from target generating unit 152 and record data, with conversion process portion The adjusted value of above-mentioned (1)~(3) of the printed data of Y, M, C, Bk after transformation and the printed data of Y, M, C, is contained in one In a file.
In addition, in the case where that will be used to seek head than the mark Mb of image forming area Ri downstreams, even if transferring Elongation is generated in the image forming area Ri of film 46, the distance until mark Mb to image forms starting position PB is also constant Change, so the image for not needing to above-mentioned (1) forms the adjustment of starting position PB.Therefore, determine processing unit determine above-mentioned (2) and (3) adjusted value.
In addition, about above-mentioned decision processing unit, the print that basis is generated due to the printing of the ink of the color of front is shown The elongation of region Rp is brushed, determines the mode of the adjusted value in the row period of adjustment thermal head 40, but the row period can not also be changed And determine for adjust transfer film 46 conveyance speed adjusted value (adjusted value of the conveyance speed of the transfer film 46 of every 1 row).
For example, in the case where the coefficient of elongation of the predetermined row of Y ink is 1.0 [mm], in the row for printing M ink, row week Phase keeps 0.8 [ms/line] as former state, and the conveyance speed faster than said reference conveyance speed 1.15478% of transfer film 46 is made (to adjust Whole value：+ 1.15478%), thus make the conveyance speed of transfer film 46 become 0.8092382 [ms], so as to mitigate each color Color displacement caused by the difference of the elongation of mutual printing zone Rp.
In addition, in the present embodiment, show to adjust the image length formed in image forming area Ri and The row period for adjusting thermal head 40 or the mode for the conveyance speed for adjusting transfer film 46, but can also be by combining the two, root Image length is adjusted according to the elongation of printing zone Rp generated when with the ink print of each color, prevents from causing between colors Color displacement.
In addition, in the present embodiment, showing to adjust the image length formed in image forming area Ri, become The row period of the thermal head 40 of more every 1 row or the mode of the conveyance speed of transfer film 46, but can also be according to the supposition of each row The sum of elongation (or average value of the coefficient of elongation of each row), by make adjusted value in whole rows it is identical in a manner of determine It is fixed.
In addition, in present embodiment (variation 1), the difference with first embodiment is illustrated, but according to the difference, Also similarly it can allow printing zone when thermal head 40 forms image to printing zone Rp in second, third embodiment Rp extends, and prevents color displacement.
4. effect etc.
Next, illustrate effect of print system 100 of the above embodiment etc..
4-1. effect
In the print system 100 of first~third embodiment, according to 1 row pair of the main scanning direction with thermal head 40 The gray value of the pixel group for the printed data answered and image formation rate, for every 1 row adjustment with thermal head 40 in transfer film 46 The printed data of the upper each color component of basis forms image length during image, and the image length of printing zone Rp is maintained Steady state value (86.6 [mm]), so no matter the elongation generated in transfer film 46 due to the heating of thermal head 40 how can Prevent color displacement.
In addition, in the print system 100 of variation 1, according to when the image of a color (such as Y) is formed due to heat The heating of quick head 40 and the elongation generated in transfer film 46, in the later image formation of next color (such as M), in whole The row period (image length of adjustment printing zone Rp) of thermal head 40 is adjusted in row, and adjusts image and forms starting position PA And transfer starting position, so no matter the elongation generated in transfer film 46 due to the heating of thermal head 40 how can Prevent color displacement.
Therefore, in the print system 100 of the above embodiment including variation 1, the hair of thermal head 40 can be improved Heat shortens image forming time, and maintains the quality of image formed on transfer film 46 (card Ca).
4-2. variation
In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the printing equipment 1 of indirect printing mode is instantiated, however, the present invention is not limited thereto, It also is able to the printing equipment for directly printing mode for being applied to be directly printed onto card Ca using ink ribbon 41.At this point, it suitably changes Structure, position of image forming part, carrying roller, sensor etc. etc..In addition, in the above-described embodiment, as medium example Show transfer film 46, but for example in the case where directly printing mode, also typically be able to be applied to pipe, film etc. with thermal expansion The medium of property.
In addition, in the above-described embodiment, Bk is instantiated as the color other than Y, M, C, however, the present invention is not limited thereto, There can be other colors (such as golden, silver color).It, can also be with Y, M, C etc. and then about Bk, the printed data of other colors Similarly, according to gray value and image formation rate, image length is adjusted when forming image.
And then it shows perform each color point according to image data in 101 lateral root of epigyny device in the above-described embodiment The example of the transformation (generation) of the printed data of amount, however, the present invention is not limited thereto can also be by printing equipment 1 (CPU) according to defeated The image data entered generates the printed data of each color component and is saved in memory 77.
Roller platen 45 is crimped onto thermal head 40 in image forming part B1 in addition, showing in the above-described embodiment Example, but thermal head 40 can also be crimped onto roller platen 45.At this point, pressing plate without be illustrate roller, preferably not to turn The example that the conveyance of die 46, ink ribbon 41 impacts.And then show in the above-described embodiment will be hot in transfer section B2 Roller 33 is crimped onto the example of roller platen 31, but can also roller platen 31 be crimped onto hot-rolling 33.
And then it shows in the above-described embodiment in image forming part B1 in the image forming area Ri of transfer film 46 Image (the step 302) of Figure 12, in a face transferred image (step of card Ca in transfer section B2 of the middle surface side for forming card Ca 306) after, in image forming part B1 with the image of another surface side of from the next image forming area Ri to transfer film 46 It forms (step 312) concurrently, card Ca is transported to revolving member F sides and card Ca is made to rotate 180 ° of (steps 314), in transfer section The example of the image (step 316) of another surface side is transferred in B2 in the another side of card Ca, but can also be in image forming part B1 It is formed in the image forming area Ri of transfer film 46 after the image of a surface side of card Ca, in the next figure of transfer film 46 Image as forming another surface side in forming region Ri, in transfer section B2, after a face transferred image of card Ca, by card Ca It is transported to revolving member F sides and card Ca is made to rotate 180 °, the image of another surface side is transferred in the another side of card Ca.
In addition, the print system 100 that epigyny device 101 is connect with printing equipment 1 is instantiated in the above-described embodiment, but The present invention is not limited thereto.For example, it is also possible to via USB storage, storage card etc., text that will be produced in 101 side of epigyny device Part folder submits to 1 side of printing equipment.In addition, in the case where printing equipment 1 is configured to a member of LAN, can also from office The computer of domain net connection sends above-mentioned file.And then above-mentioned attribute information, record can also be inputted from guidance panel portion 5 Data.
In addition, in the application claims, including " a kind of recording medium, has program recorded thereon, wherein, which makes Computer is used as lower unit functions：Generation unit generates the printed data of each color component according to image data；With And detection unit, detection form being swept with the master of thermal head for the printed data of each color component that is generated by the generation unit It retouches the gray value of the pixel of the corresponding pixel group of 1 row in direction and represents relative to composition pixel group corresponding with 1 row Pixel number the pixel number with color component ratio image formation rate." invention, but such program is in addition to upper State it is being illustrated in embodiment, for adjustment thermal head 40 on transfer film 46 the printed data shape based on each color component Other than image length during into image, such as it also is able to be used as by being adjusted to turning according to gray value and image formation rate Die 46 assign tension and on transfer film 46 formed high quality image program.In addition, about its detailed content, with Japanese patent application No. 2016-249215 says filed in the priority date of the application same day completed by the present inventor It is disclosed in bright book.
In addition, the application by referring to and ask the Japanese patent application No. 2016-249214 quoted herein and day The priority that present patent application 2016-249215.

Claims (9)

1. a kind of image forming apparatus forms image using the ink ribbon of the ink with multiple colors on medium, which is characterized in that Described image forming apparatus has：
Image forming unit has thermal head and transports the medium conveying unit of the medium；
Storage unit, for preserving the printed data of each color component；And
Control unit, control described image form unit,
Described control unit according to form the printed data for being stored in each color component in the storage unit with it is described The gray value of the pixel of the corresponding pixel group of 1 row of the main scanning direction of thermal head and expression are relative to composition and 1 row The image formation rate of the ratio of the pixel number with color component of the pixel number of corresponding pixel group adjusts the thermal head Image length when printed data based on each color component forms image on media described.
2. image forming apparatus according to claim 1, which is characterized in that
Described control unit is by changing the row period of the thermal head and/or transporting the medium by the medium conveying unit Speed is transported, adjusts the image length when printed data based on each color component forms image.
3. according to image forming apparatus described in claims 1 or 2, which is characterized in that
Described control unit is adjusted according to the gray value and described image formation rate based on each color component Printed data forms the elongation of the sub-scanning direction of the thermal head generated in the medium for every 1 row during image.
4. the image forming apparatus described in any one in claims 1 to 3, which is characterized in that
Described control unit is so that the image length when printed data based on each color component forms image becomes pre- The mode of the steady state value first determined is adjusted.
5. the image forming apparatus described in any one in Claims 1-4, which is characterized in that
Described control unit detects the gray value according to the printed data of each color component and described image is formed Rate according to the gray value detected and image formation rate, adjusts the printed data based on each color component and is formed Image length during image.
6. the image forming apparatus described in any one in claim 1 to 5, which is characterized in that
Described control unit according to the image data of input after the printed data of each color component is generated, by the generation The printed data of each color component is saved in the storage unit.
7. a kind of recording medium, has program recorded thereon, wherein, which makes computer be used as lower unit functions：
Generation unit generates the printed data of each color component according to image data；And
Detection unit, detection form the master with thermal head of the printed data of each color component generated by the generation unit The gray value of the pixel of the corresponding pixel group of 1 row of scanning direction and expression are relative to composition pixel corresponding with 1 row The image formation rate of the ratio of the pixel number with color component of the pixel number of group.
8. recording medium according to claim 7, which is characterized in that
Record is useful for the program that the computer is made also to be functioned as determining means, and the determining means is according to by described The gray value and image formation rate that detection unit detects, determine with the thermal head on medium formation image when based on The adjusted value for the image length that the printed data of each color component is formed.
9. a kind of image formation system has the image shape for forming image on medium using the ink ribbon of the ink with multiple colors Into device and the computer that can be communicated with the image forming apparatus, described image, which forms system, to be had：
Generation unit generates the printed data of each color component according to image data；
Detection unit, detection form the master with thermal head of the printed data of each color component generated by the generation unit The gray value of the pixel of the corresponding pixel group of 1 row of scanning direction and expression are relative to composition pixel corresponding with 1 row The image formation rate of the ratio of the pixel number with color component of the pixel number of group；And
Determining means, according to by gray value detected by the detecting unit and image formation rate, decision is existed with the thermal head The adjusted value of image length that the printed data based on each color component when image is formed on the medium is formed.
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